Extra Credit Possibilities

(1) Find some application of physical ideas, perhaps
in anatomy, energy production or consumption, public health,
medicine, etc. It should draw upon only topics we have covered
(rather a restrictive requirement initially), and it should
grow out of your own experience, perhaps something you noticed,
ran into in another class, heard about in the newspaper, etc. You should
point out how physics applies, and how it clarifies something about
this topic in some way, using only the simple kinds of arguments we are
learning to make. It should include a numerical estimate and a
computation.
Do not just find something on the
web and appropriate it wholesale. I won't OK such a thing, and your
eventual presentation must use only the blackboard, not computer
projection or web resources.
Write up
your idea in a clear exposition of maybe one page. I'll
make suggestions when I see it, and we will refine it together.
Aim to make it something
you can present as a 5 minute topic for the class as a whole.
A good presentation is worth an increment in grade.

(2) Make a comment or raise a question in class that takes us
in a new and productive direction. When you think you have done
this, write me an email message repeating the remark, and say
why you think it was productive. If I agree, I'll file it in
my extra credit folder. Two of these should be worth an increment
in grade.